Child and Young Person Mental Health

Read more about this page below

Here you can find out more about Anxiety, Depression and Self harm and Suicidal thoughts. For an A-Z of mental health problems, please visit: MIND website.

Growing up is not easy, and sometimes it's hard to cope with whatever life throws at you. Children and young people's mental health can be impacted by day to day events and they sometimes find it hard to manage their thoughts, feelings and emotions.  

These can grow into some of the below if not talked about with someone close to you or a professional such as a trusted teacher/pastoral support or school nurse:

  • Feel sad or like you do not want to be here any more
  • Have problems with your family, friends or at school
  • Hurt yourself or want to hurt yourself
  • Feel anxious and scared
  • Have problems with eating and food
  • Have trouble talking or sleeping
  • Hear voices or see things
  • Feel angry or are struggling to control your behaviour or temper
  • Find it hard to concentrate or get on with friends
  • Have to check or repeat things, or worry about germs
  • Do not like yourself or have low self-confidence

Often young people find it hard to manage their emotions because of what is going on around them. This can occur from challenges at school with peers, friends or School related events like exams, the dynamics at home with family members or just that life seems to be throwing too much at you at certain times of your life. All of these can lead to struggles with managing your emotions if you do not talk to a friend, family member, teacher, school nurse or someone you trust. Your family GP can also help so contact them for further advice. 

Kooth is also another good resource where there can be things to read to help explain what and why you are feeling certain things. You can also access support with your mental health through the Kooth app. This is a free, safe and anonymous place for young people to access online support and counselling. You'll also find lots of helpful tools to support you. You can access the app here: KOOTH. 

Simple positive day to day activities can also help you to feel better. Getting proper rest, eating healthily and regularly, and getting some exercise - even just a short walk - are all things that you can do to help protect your emotional health. Staying in contact with friends and family can help you to feel less isolated and talking things over with a trusted person are also very important. Be kind to yourself and ask for help if you need it and accept as much support as is available. Check out the Health Matters mental wellbeing pack developed by CLCH NHS Trust.

You can also access support with your mental health through the Kooth app. This is a free, safe and anonymous place for young people to access online support and counselling. You'll also find lots of helpful tools to support you. You can access the app here KOOTH. 

Accessibility tools